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Brisbane to Cairns by Train in 25 Hours

The journey from Brisbane to Cairns is now six hours shorter by rail, thanks to a new high speed tilt train.

Passengers will travel in comfort on the Spirit of Queensland, which replaces The Sunlander. The Executive General Manager of Customer Service for Queensland Rail, Martin Ryan, describes the carriages as world class, according to the Brisbane Times. Luxuries include a railbed, which folds out and reclines, an individual entertainment service for every passenger and USB ports.

The new train takes 25 hours to complete the 1861km journey, a six hour improvement on The Sunlander. There are two journeys per week, on Mondays and Fridays, with the return leg on Wednesdays and Sundays. The service is already in operation, having made its maiden voyage from Brisbane at the end of October.

The new rail service represents a $200 million investment in long distance travel. Transport minister Scott Emerson says that the Spirit of Queensland is unlike anything ever experienced before in terms of train travel quality.